Hey Chuck, I've been meaning to share something with you. Here's an episode from an old radio drama from the 1940s. I thought you might get a kick out of the "clock" in this one. Also, the spark plug commercial is pretty gnarly. lol Seems like writers could learn a lot from the structure of these old dramas. Hope you enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrb101B2YWI
Harold Bloom has never experienced reality. People like that try to deny that they have shadows. I don't trust anyone who does not acknowledge their animalistic nature. Positioning for status is gross. Matter of fact, I'm going to work Harold into this romance/horror/Christmas story, just for you.
While I'm calling out scumbaggery, this guy wrote biographies of Kurt Vonnegut and Harper Lee that solely focus on the negative aspects of these amazing writers. I stumbled upon an article about the Kurt biography while searching the internet for some information contained in Consider This. 2 days later, I mentioned this to someone I'd met on a dating website, and it turns out that she's the author's daughter. Life be weird like that some time. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/dec/03/kurt-vonnegut-biography
Not coincidentally, I read an essay written by a former ballerina this morning. At first, her fancy language and self absorption turned me off in a major way. But she acknowledged the self absorption, bonus points, I stuck with it, and she totally won me over with an A+ joke about an experience in a club in the meatpacking district of NYC in the 70s. Don't want to ruin it if anyone else reads the essay.
I am currently in a rough draft for a Christmas story. I did the full rough draft. And got my ending. But there is a huge hole in the middle of the story that I thought I skimmed over when I actually just skipped over. I clearly now know the ending. Should I scrap the ending and just go in from the “hole” so to speak?
Or should I shrink the hole? I over thought things and now all I see are stupid holes which is making the writing feel like homework again. The ending brought a lot of emotion, so that’s why I am invested in it. But I’m not sure about the rest of the story. Maybe I’m trying to be too linear?
I wrote a novel length story as vignettes, and did not figure out the horizontal until the end. I revised the first half, but added too many moving parts, and must rewrite all of that after I get the horizontal sorted out on paper with a single visual representation.
My question: Is it better to leave it rougher? It feels like what Im about to do will make it less minimalistic.
Either way I have a lot of rewriting to do. First round was discovery, and when I figured out the end it turned it into a heroes journey of sorts. So I have to rewrite with that in mind.
We were there! I wasn't able to stay to get a signature in person, since I had my six year old daughter along, but it was still good to both discover a new local shop and spend time in it with fellow fans. Had I been able to stay for a signature, I would also have thanked you again for the bookmark you made for me right after the substack launched. Thanks for coming back down to this corner of the world - I'm looking forward to reading the new book!
Its is hard taking in everyone's crisis moments back to back. I used to be a head social worker. I loved to help folks, but everyone was coming in during some their worst days ever. I would listen crisis stories back to back 8 hours plus a day. I felt bad for folks and wanted to help, but I also felt burnt out after a while and did a total career change. I couldn't figure out how to not take that home. I felt heart broken when a client had a heart attack, stroke, or lost their home after working with them for months. I don't have an off switch when I get home.
Hey Mr Palahniuk! My show is now on Satanic Temple TV! My show is pay-walled but here is a link to watch "Cheap & Crass Satanic Story Time." Starring Cheap & Crass! *Jazz hands* https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pF_iUzaYAxW6oOad-l4yg8MSvuY8pKRP/view?usp=sharing
Hey Chuck, I've been meaning to share something with you. Here's an episode from an old radio drama from the 1940s. I thought you might get a kick out of the "clock" in this one. Also, the spark plug commercial is pretty gnarly. lol Seems like writers could learn a lot from the structure of these old dramas. Hope you enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mrb101B2YWI
See you there. Time?
He said he’s there all day, which I believe is 11:00AM to close
I need. I need. I want. I want.
The Fincher’s Fight Club rock opera
Mmmm, imagine the fine waiters with little soap-shaped canapés walking around the foyer before the opera starts.
Write it and get in touch with the people who own the rights.
Or bake those patented canapés and get in touch with me!
I always felt like I knew your voice until I heard your voice for the first time tonight.
Chuck, have you ever written a screenplay?
Will be down in San Diego that day… then back in Pasadena on Monday. Bummed to miss it. Have a great time!
Would you ever do a signing in CT?
Harold Bloom has never experienced reality. People like that try to deny that they have shadows. I don't trust anyone who does not acknowledge their animalistic nature. Positioning for status is gross. Matter of fact, I'm going to work Harold into this romance/horror/Christmas story, just for you.
While I'm calling out scumbaggery, this guy wrote biographies of Kurt Vonnegut and Harper Lee that solely focus on the negative aspects of these amazing writers. I stumbled upon an article about the Kurt biography while searching the internet for some information contained in Consider This. 2 days later, I mentioned this to someone I'd met on a dating website, and it turns out that she's the author's daughter. Life be weird like that some time. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/dec/03/kurt-vonnegut-biography
Not coincidentally, I read an essay written by a former ballerina this morning. At first, her fancy language and self absorption turned me off in a major way. But she acknowledged the self absorption, bonus points, I stuck with it, and she totally won me over with an A+ joke about an experience in a club in the meatpacking district of NYC in the 70s. Don't want to ruin it if anyone else reads the essay.
Don’t suppose anyone reckons they could skim one of the badges across the length of Atlantic Ocean and onto a beach in Britain, do they?
I am currently in a rough draft for a Christmas story. I did the full rough draft. And got my ending. But there is a huge hole in the middle of the story that I thought I skimmed over when I actually just skipped over. I clearly now know the ending. Should I scrap the ending and just go in from the “hole” so to speak?
Or should I shrink the hole? I over thought things and now all I see are stupid holes which is making the writing feel like homework again. The ending brought a lot of emotion, so that’s why I am invested in it. But I’m not sure about the rest of the story. Maybe I’m trying to be too linear?
Basically, I know my ending and I still have to write the story.
I think I answered it myself.
Coming down from Vegas to see you tomorrow! Bringing way too many unsigned books.
Can’t wait to see you today!
I wrote a novel length story as vignettes, and did not figure out the horizontal until the end. I revised the first half, but added too many moving parts, and must rewrite all of that after I get the horizontal sorted out on paper with a single visual representation.
My question: Is it better to leave it rougher? It feels like what Im about to do will make it less minimalistic.
Either way I have a lot of rewriting to do. First round was discovery, and when I figured out the end it turned it into a heroes journey of sorts. So I have to rewrite with that in mind.
We were there! I wasn't able to stay to get a signature in person, since I had my six year old daughter along, but it was still good to both discover a new local shop and spend time in it with fellow fans. Had I been able to stay for a signature, I would also have thanked you again for the bookmark you made for me right after the substack launched. Thanks for coming back down to this corner of the world - I'm looking forward to reading the new book!
Its is hard taking in everyone's crisis moments back to back. I used to be a head social worker. I loved to help folks, but everyone was coming in during some their worst days ever. I would listen crisis stories back to back 8 hours plus a day. I felt bad for folks and wanted to help, but I also felt burnt out after a while and did a total career change. I couldn't figure out how to not take that home. I felt heart broken when a client had a heart attack, stroke, or lost their home after working with them for months. I don't have an off switch when I get home.